The ancient town of Ilemona in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State witnessed a major boost for grassroots football development on Sunday Jy 5, 2026, as the Elemona of Ilemona, His Royal Highness Oba Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, pledged unprecedented support for local football initiatives, including an NLO slot for Lem FC, sponsorship for NA Royal FC’s Denmark playing tour, and the construction of a modern stadium for the community.
The royal father made the commitments during a colourful football match held at the Community School Football Pitch, where Lem FC and NA Royal FC entertained a large crowd of football enthusiasts in a thrilling friendly encounter that ended 2-2.
The event, which attracted traditional chiefs, youth leaders, football stakeholders, sports administrators and community members, was more than just a football match. It served as a celebration of unity, youth empowerment and the growing football culture in Ilemona.
Speaking after the match, the monarch, who also serves as an Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressed satisfaction with the quality of football displayed by both teams and reaffirmed his commitment to using sports as a tool for youth development and community growth.
In one of the major highlights of the day, Oba Yusuf assured Lem FC of his support towards securing a slot in the Nationwide League One (NLO), Nigeria’s third-tier football league. He also pledged to provide a team bus to aid the club’s operations and mobility.
The request was presented on behalf of the club by former Flying Eagles, ABS FC and Kwara United star, Wasiu Alalade, one of Ilemona’s most celebrated football exports.
The monarch noted that the elevation of Lem FC into organized national competition would provide talented youths from the community with greater opportunities to showcase their abilities and pursue professional football careers.
For NA Royal FC, the royal father announced his readiness to bankroll the team’s forthcoming playing tour of Denmark, an opportunity secured through the efforts of the Kwara State chapter of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON).
The Denmark trip is expected to expose the young players to international football culture, create networking opportunities and potentially open doors for scholarships and professional careers abroad.
Beyond the immediate support for the two clubs, the monarch unveiled plans to facilitate the construction of a stadium in Ilemona, describing the project as part of a long-term vision to transform the community into a hub for sports development in Oyun Local Government Area and Kwara State.
According to him, the proposed facility will not only benefit football but also provide a platform for other sporting activities, youth engagement programmes and community events.
Chairman of Kwara State YSFON, Mallam Ademola Kiyesola, commended the monarch for his foresight and commitment to youth development through sports.
Kiyesola noted that the proposed stadium project would position Ilemona to host major grassroots competitions, including national YSFON championships and other developmental tournaments.
He appealed for continued support for YSFON’s activities in the state and also requested the donation of a bus to assist the federation’s programmes and logistics.
Also speaking, the Sports Director of NA Royal FC, Alhaji Sulaiman Funsho Mohammed, described the monarch’s intervention as a major encouragement for the club and its players.
He praised the traditional ruler, members of the traditional council and the entire Ilemona community for their unwavering support for youth football development.
According to him, the backing for the Denmark tour would further motivate the players to represent the community with pride and distinction on the international stage.
One of the emotional moments of the event came when former Flying Eagles star Wasiu Alalade took to the pitch and featured for both teams during the exhibition match.
For the former ABS FC and Kwara United winger, it was a symbolic return to the field where his football journey began many years ago.
Alalade expressed appreciation to the Elemona for creating opportunities for young people and investing in the future of sports in the community. He urged aspiring footballers to remain disciplined, focused and prayerful in their pursuit of success.
“It is not easy to become successful in football. The youths must be mentally strong, disciplined, determined and prayerful. They must also take advantage of the opportunities being provided by the Kabiyesi and the community,” he said.
Alalade has continued to serve as a source of inspiration to young footballers in Oyun Local Government Area. Recently, he donated footballs and training kits to youth clubs across the local government as part of efforts to give back to the game and nurture emerging talents.
Coach of Lem FC, Alalade Waheed, also lauded the monarch’s commitments, describing the promise of an NLO slot as a game-changing development for the club and the community.
He stated that Ilemona possesses an abundance of talented footballers capable of competing at higher levels if provided with the right platform and support.
“Lem FC is part of the history and identity of this community. We have exceptionally talented young players here, and the pledge of an NLO slot will create opportunities for them to showcase their abilities on a bigger stage. We are grateful to the Kabiyesi for believing in the dreams of our youths,” he said.
